Twelve Books of Letters and Lectures

...then let them strike back themselves, and not be held completely in mockery. However it may be, this haughty old man has a place where he may exercise his patience. There will no longer be reason for him to cry out: ὦ Ζεῦ βρέξον τὰς περιστάσεις?. O Jupiter, rain down calamities. Not even Bithus and Bacchus were better matched. The rest of the works which you seek refuse to bear the light. Continue to love me, as you will do in return. Farewell.

GIOVANNI PICO TO ANGELO POLIZIANO, GREETINGS.

5.

My Loves declare that they were never more urbanely nor more cheerfully received than in these past few days at your home; and because they were indeed struck through in a friendly manner, while they congratulate themselves most greatly, they also owe you very much. For who would not wish to die by that sword? They grieve, however, that it was done more indulgently than was fitting, and they are at the point where they doubt whether you have been blinded toward my loves by love itself; and they doubt to such an extent that they do not sufficiently trust your judgment, otherwise most grave, in their own cause. Yet they are confident, and now they release themselves from their bonds; they do not know how to stay at home, but securely demand freedom and the public. But what shall I say of the playfulness of your Epictetus? O, what a humorous thing, worthy of a Catonian laugh! Hardly was he at the threshold when, opening his robe, he said: "Behold marks of censure, behold arrows—if you do not know Greek. Behold me, ready to strike back if any of your people should be so bold." Who would have restrained his laughter when the Stoic...